An Exercise in GROWth

Acrostics - Week #2

An Exercise in GROWth

Genesis 28-Genesis 29

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. Genesis 29:1

Gracious Spirit

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Genesis 28:16-19

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

• Exercise in gratitude:

Write out 3 things you’re thankful for

1.

2. 

3.

• Gratitude often precedes blessing

Rest

• Oftentimes, an increase in stress is directly connected to our unwillingness to rest

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  Genesis 28:10-11

• Many times, spiritual growth is the result of us stopping and realizing all that God has done for us
• Exercise in Rest:

Turn off your phone, computer, etc. for 5 minutes and ask God, “What would you like to say to me?” And just be still

“Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

Open to God’s Will

• Are you open to what God wants to do in your life? Or do you spend time trying to fight Him?

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39

• The most out of control area of our lives is probably the area where we’re the least open to what God wants to do
• Exercise in Openness:

Write down the area that you feel God is speaking to you where you are resisting Him the most. Then tell Him, “Not my will, but yours”

Worship

• The simplest definition of worship is... our response; both personal and corporate to God for who He is and what He has done 
• Exercise in Worship:

Focus on who Jesus is and what Jesus wants to do in our life

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10